As Clinton promoted her book, a new investigation was being launched by the House Select Committee on the Events Surrounding the 2012 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi. Chaired by former federal prosecutor Rep. Trey Gowdy, a South Carolina Republican, the committee’s creation promised to drive questions about Benghazi into the 2016 presidential campaign and beyond.
As explained in “A Note to the Reader,” this book is not intended to support or satisfy one side or the other in resolving the controversies that remain. By telling their story, the Benghazi operators hope that the battle and their actions will be understood on their own terms, outside of partisan or political interests.
Another priority for the operators is to see the attackers identified, hunted down, and punished. In August 2013, President Obama confirmed that a sealed indictment had been issued against an undisclosed number of suspects. Several media organizations reported that among those indicted was Ahmed Abu Khattalah, a leader of Ansar al-Sharia of Benghazi. Abu Khattalah acknowledged being at the scene, but denied involvement in the attack. He was captured in a US raid in June 2014 and was being held for trial.
The Ansar al-Sharia militia also denied participating, but praised the attack in a statement read on television on September 12, 2012. In January 2014, the State Department formally designated Ansar al-Sharia of Benghazi and the separate but allied Ansar al-Sharia of Derna as terrorist groups, largely for their alleged involvement in the Compound and Annex attacks. Also designated a terrorist was Sufian bin Qumu, a leader of Ansar al-Sharia of Derna, who spent several years as a Guantanamo Bay detainee; he was identified previously by US officials as a “probable member” of al-Qaeda. Nevertheless, a State Department spokeswoman maintained that “we have no indications… that core al-Qaeda directed or planned the Benghazi attack.”
Three days after the attack on the Compound, the bodies of J. Christopher Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone “Rone” Woods, and Glen “Bub” Doherty were returned to the United States in flag-draped caskets. President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Clinton, and Defense Secretary Leon Panetta were among those present for their repatriation.
After a brief stop in Tripoli, the four uninjured Benghazi operators flew to Ramstein Air Base, a US Air Force facility in Germany, and then to Washington for debriefings. Jack flew commercial and had the surreal experience of sitting across the aisle from someone reading a newspaper account of the Benghazi attacks.
For Mark “Oz” Geist, the return home was delayed by the first of several hospital stays. He eventually faced more than a dozen surgeries and spent time at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center with Dave Ubben, who also underwent numerous surgeries and significant rehabilitation for his injuries.
Since returning home, all five surviving operators have given sworn congressional testimony behind closed doors about the events described in this book. In December 2013, the United States government honored the operators from Benghazi in secret ceremonies. The State Department gave the operators who responded to the Compound plaques that hailed “[T]he heroism displayed by members of the security team, under fire in the face of extreme risks to their personal safety during the deadly attack against US facilities in Benghazi, Libya, on September 11–12, 2012. The heroic actions of these professionals were selfless, valorous, and representative of the highest standards of bravery in federal service.” Hillary Clinton signed the citations. The State Department gave the same men medals bearing the word “Heroism,” adorned with blue and silver ribbons. The CIA gave all the operators newly created medals of valor the size of coffee saucers.
Honors also were bestowed posthumously on Rone and Glen, whose family has set up a memorial foundation in his name. Its mission is “to bring education and recreation to those in need.” The foundation’s website can be found at www.glendohertyfoundation.org.
Although the operators fought the battle and by all accounts saved about twenty American lives, because they were neither CIA staffers nor active military personnel they were deemed ineligible for even higher awards, awards that went to other men who played smaller roles and never fired a shot. As an agency staffer, the Benghazi GRS Team Leader received the Distinguished Intelligence Cross, the highest honor bestowed by the CIA. The award goes to clandestine service members for “a voluntary act or acts of extraordinary heroism involving the acceptance of existing dangers with conspicuous fortitude and exemplary courage.” Bob, the CIA chief in Benghazi, also reportedly received a prestigious intelligence service medal, according to The Daily Beast. One Delta Force member, a Marine, was given the Navy Cross for heroism; the other Delta Force member, an Army master sergeant, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army’s second-highest honor, according to The Washington Times.
After Benghazi, the contract operators returned to their homes, their families, and their lives, until now remaining silent as they made decisions about their futures. All have retired from government security contracting for work in the private sector. Mark “Oz” Geist, Kris “Tanto” Paronto, and John “Tig” Tiegen have used their real names in this book. The names Jack Silva and Dave “D.B.” Benton are pseudonyms, used to satisfy their hope of preserving their families’ privacy and their own. The only other pseudonym was for Henry, the Annex translator. All other information about the pseudonymous characters is true. Names of all other individuals in the book were disclosed previously in congressional testimony and other public forums.
In Germany after the attacks (l to r): Dave “D.B.” Benton, Kris “Tanto” Paronto, John “Tig” Tiegen, and Jack Silva (Courtesy of Kris Paronto)
Looking ahead, the surviving Benghazi operators know that the events of those thirteen hours will color the rest of their lives. They remain in close contact, and all wear black aluminum bracelets etched with the names of the two fallen operators, along with the location and date of their deaths.
Above all, the surviving special operators hope that Chris Stevens, Sean Smith, Tyrone Woods, and Glen Doherty, to whom this book is collectively dedicated, will be remembered not as victims or political pawns, but as brave Americans who put themselves in harm’s way, who believed in their work and their country, and who died serving others.
The Compound before September 11, 2012. At the top right is the main gate; at the top left is the building converted into a barracks for 17 February militia guards. (State Department photo)
The pool outside the diplomatic Compound’s main villa. (State Department photo)
A sandbag fighting position outside the main villa on the Compound, before September 11, 2012. (State Department photo)
A sandbag fighting position on the Compound, before September 11, 2012. (State Department photo)
The vineyard on the diplomatic Compound. (State Department photo)
A view of the front of the villa before September 11, 2012. (State Department photos)
Interior views of the villa before September 11, 2012. (State Department photos)
The main gate to the CIA Annex in Benghazi. (AP photo/Mohammad Hannon)
Satellite image of the Annex. (Map data: © 2014 DigitalGlobe)
Inside the walls of the Annex, showing the operators’ “prison gym” under construction. (John Tiegen)
Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and Abdurrahman al-Gannas of the Libyan Ministry of Foreign Affairs cut a ceremonial ribbon on August 26, 2012, marking the reopening of a visagranting Consular Section at the US Embassy in Tripoli. (State Department photo)
State Department computer specialist Sean Smith. (State Department photo)
Ambassador Christopher Stevens. (State Department photo)
Damage at the Compound from an explosive device on June 6, 2012. (State Department photo)
The interior of a vehicle damaged when militants attacked the British ambassador in Benghazi on June 11, 2012. (State Department photo)
Image of an intruder at the US diplomatic Compound taken by security cameras on September 11, 2012. (FBI photos)
I
mages of intruders at the US diplomatic Compound taken by security cameras on September 11, 2012. (FBI photos)
FBI “Seeking Information” poster. (FBI photos)
Buildings and cars at the US diplomatic Compound in Benghazi set afire the night of September 11, 2012. (REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori)
(STR/AFP/Getty Images)
(STR/AFP/Getty Images)
Buildings and cars at the US diplomatic Compound in Benghazi set afire the night of September 11, 2012. (REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori))
A view inside a Compound building after the attack. (FBI photo)
Images of the Compound in the aftermath of the attack. (GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)
Images of the Compound in the aftermath of the attack. (GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)
(REUTERS/Esam Al-Fetori)
(FBI photo)
Images of the Compound in the aftermath of the attack. (GIANLUIGI GUERCIA/AFP/Getty Images)
Mark “Oz” Geist
Kris “Tanto” Paronto
John “Tig” Tiegen
Tyrone “Rone” Woods
Jack Silva
Dave “D.B.” Benton
Glen “Bub” Doherty
Libyan civilians remove an unresponsive Ambassador Christopher Stevens from the villa at the US diplomatic Compound early on September 12, 2012. (AFP/AFP/Getty Images)
President Obama and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton embrace during a September 14, 2012, ceremony at Andrews Air Force Base marking the arrival of the remains of the Americans killed in Benghazi. (JEWEL SAMAD/AFP/Getty Images)
A NOTE ON SOURCES
This book could not have been written without the cooperation and candor of the five surviving special operators from Benghazi. Their accounts allowed for a boots-on-the-ground perspective, while also contributing to a virtual drone’s-eye view of the thirteen-hour battle. Yet during scores of conversations and interviews, all five men took pains to avoid disclosing information, tradecraft, or techniques that the US government considers classified. For instance, they would not discuss certain details of their employment in Benghazi as security contractors. However, numerous other published and unpublished sources made it clear that the first responders to the Compound attack were employees of the Global Response Staff, as was Glen “Bub” Doherty. Identifying the operators as such was a simple leap of logic by the author.
As a result of the operators’ circumspection about certain matters, this book owes a debt to numerous other sources, including many journalists and authors who have spent years covering military affairs and the nation’s clandestine services. For instance, in the wake of the battle, Greg Miller and Julie Tate of The Washington Post published an important story detailing the nature and the work of the Global Response Staff, including information about GRS contract operators at the CIA Annex in Benghazi. David Ignatius of the Post also made a significant early link between GRS and the events of September 11–12, 2012. They and many others who have written about the battle are cited in the Select Bibliography below. Also cited is the October 2012 congressional testimony of then–Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Charlene Lamb, who discussed the Quick Reaction Force that responded from the Annex. During her testimony, she displayed a map that clearly showed the location of the Annex.
Valuable information about the American presence in Benghazi also came from unexpected sources. One example is the December 2011 issue of State magazine, published by the State Department. An article written by Diplomatic Security agent Mario Montoya provided insight and details regarding the establishment of the Special Mission Compound. It also discussed the US government’s efforts to collect shoulder-fired anti-aircraft missiles. The makes of vehicles used by the operators came from various sources, including media reports and previous books on Benghazi. One potential source who proved elusive was Bob the Annex chief. Attempts to reach him to hear his version of events were unsuccessful.
Essential elements of the narrative came from the December 2012 report of the State Department’s Accountability Review Board, which investigated the attacks on the Compound and Annex. The ARB report was important in terms of providing details of the Compound attack from the perspective of the DS agents. Also valuable were the Interim Progress Report for the Members of the House Republican Conference on the Events Surrounding the September 11, 2012, Terrorist Attacks in Benghazi, Libya, and the US Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Review of the Terrorist Attacks on US Facilities in Benghazi, Libya, September 11–12, 2012, among others. Several reports from the Congressional Research Service, listed below, were helpful with regard to information about security at US diplomatic facilities abroad, US policy, and relations with Libya.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Heartfelt thanks first and foremost to the families of the Annex security team. Their love and support sustained the operators during their time in Benghazi, especially during the thirteen hours of battle. Deep appreciation also goes to the team members’ mentors, friends, and comrades in the US military and elsewhere, who helped to train the operators for what they encountered that night and to prepare the survivors for what came after.
Editor Sean Desmond of Twelve was a steadfast advocate and an insightful collaborator. To borrow Sean’s phrase, assistant editor Libby Burton earned her stripes in “special ops, publishing.” Special thanks to Jamie Raab, Deb Futter, Brian McLendon, Paul Samuelson, Mari C. Okuda, Rick Ball, Carol Ross, and the team at Twelve and Grand Central for treating this book with such great care.
Agent extraordinaire Richard Abate of 3Arts was like the host of a complex dinner party, pulling together a seemingly incompatible guest list with his signature flair. His assistant Melissa Kahn made sure every course arrived hot.
Dana Hatic created order from chaos, culling details from numerous sources to assemble an invaluable timeline. Nick Lehr crafted a sophisticated dossier on Benghazi, from its history to its idiosyncrasies, that displayed his talent as a researcher and writer. Steve Wylie set land speed records for turning digital recordings of interviews into voluminous, error-free transcripts.
Special thanks to Sid and Gerry Zuckoff, for giving me everything I needed.
Finally, to Suzanne, Isabel, and Eve: Now and always, you’re the reason and the reward for everything.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Writer Mitchell Zuckoff is a professor of journalism at Boston University and the author of six previous nonfiction books, including The New York Times bestsellers Lost in Shangri-La and Frozen in Time.
The Annex Security Team consists of five surviving CIA Special Ops contractors who responded to the September 11, 2012, attack on the US diplomatic Compound in Benghazi and fought the battle that repulsed the attackers and saved roughly two dozen American lives.
Also by Mitchell Zuckoff
Frozen in Time: An Epic Story of Survival and a Modern Quest for Lost Heroes of World War II
Lost in Shangri-La: A True Story of Survival, Adventure, and the Most Incredible Rescue Mission of World War II
Robert Altman: The Oral Biography
Ponzi’s Scheme: The True Story of a Financial Legend
Judgment Ridge: The True Story Behind the Dartmouth Murders (with Dick Lehr)
Choosing Naia: A Family’s Journey
SELECT BIBLIOGRAPHY
Abbas, Mohammed. “Libya’s Benghazi Laments City’s Decay Under Gaddafi.” Reuters, May 16, 2011, http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/05/16/us-libya-benghazi-idUSTRE74F3ZP20110516.
Blanchard, Christopher M. “Libya: Transition and U.S. Policy.” Congressional Research Service, October 18, 2012, https://www.fas.org/sgp/crs/row/RL33142.pdf.
Blanchard, Christopher M., and Jim Zanotti. “Libya: Background and U.S. Relations.” Congressional Research Service, February 18, 2011, http://fpc.state.gov/documents/organization/157348.pdf.
Booth, William. “Benghazi Doing Better Than Tripoli, Rebels Say.” The Washington Post, August 14, 2011, http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2011-08-14/world/35269577_1_benghazi-l
ibyan-rebel-tripoli.
Bosalum, Feras. “T-shirt Store Starts New Fashion Trend in Libya’s Benghazi.” Reuters, June 30, 2013, http://www.reuters.com/article/2013/06/30/us-libya-fashion-idUSBRE95T03Z20130630.
Bulugma, Hadi M. Benghazi Through the Ages. 1972.
Burton, Fred and Samuel M. Katz. “40 Minutes in Benghazi.” Vanity Fair, August 2013, http://www.vanityfair.com/politics/2013/08/Benghazi-book-fred-burton-samuel-m-katz.
Burton, Fred, and Samuel M. Katz. Under Fire: The Untold Story of the Attack in Benghazi. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 2013.
Butters, Andrew Lee. “Dispatch from Libya: Why Benghazi Rebelled.” TIME, March 3, 2011, http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2056521,00.html.
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